WORCESTER, Ma. (Dec. 22, 2024) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball finished up the 2024 calendar year playing at Assumption. The Greyhounds slowly built their lead and defeated the Lions 69-51.

How it Happened
• Both teams shot well inside the arc and not so well behind it. The Lions shot 43% overall but were 0-6 from three. 
• Assumption hit 45.5% but were 2-15 behind the arc.
• Both teams also hit their free throws. They each got to the line 20 times and Assumption made 17 and Georgian Court 15.
• The Lions won the rebounding battle 33-24.
• It's turnovers that really hurt the Lions. They lost the ball 31 times while forcing just 15. Assumption turned those 31 turnovers into 35 points.
1st Quarter
• Trailing 8-6, Georgian Court scored four straight with buckets from Maria Stanescu and Niyell McCargo to take their first lead, 10-8.
• That didn't last though as the Greyhounds answered with four straight of their own.
• In the closing minute tied at 12, Assumption went 2-2 at the line and GCU 1-2, giving the Greyhounds a slim, 14-13 lead after 10 minutes.
2nd Quarter
• Imani Gillette made a layup to start the second and put the Lions up, 15-14. That's the last time GCU led in the game.
• Following Gillette's basket, the Lions went more than six minutes without scoring and the Greyhounds poured in 12 straight.
• After the Lions broke the drought, they did score nine points in the final three minutes and Karissa Smedley's last second jumper made it a six-point game, 30-24, at the half.
3rd Quarter
• After Smedley started the half with a layup, Assumption went on another extended run. This time scoring 11 straight to turn a four-point lead into a 15 point one.
• GCU was able to cut it back down to 10, but couldn't get back into single-digits.
• The Lions shot just 33% for the quarter, 3-9, and a pair of late Assumption free throws made it a 49-36 game with one quarter remaining.
4th Quarter
• Each team shot well in the final frame and stayed out of foul trouble.
• The Lions scored a game-high 15 points on 7-14 shooting while the Greyhounds hit 8-14 and scored 20.
• The trading of points though wasn't much help to the Lions who couldn't get back into the game and Assumption held on, 69-51.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Niyell McCargo scored 14 points with eight rebounds.
• Karissa Smedley added 12 on 6-11 shooting.
• Imani Gillette scored eight with six boards.
• Maria Stanescu and Samantha Jones each added six points.

For the Greyhounds
• Marina Callahan scored a game-high 18 points on 7-11 shooting with six rebounds.
• Kaijhe Hall was 9-10 at the line and totaled 15 points.
• Molly Stokes was also in double-figures with 12 points. 

News and Notes
• Georgian Court's 75% shooting at the line is a season-best and their 15 made free throws match a season-high. 
• GCU's 43% shooting percentage is their highest in a nonconference game this year.
• The Lions fall to 1-6 all-time against the Greyhounds.

Up Next
• Georgian Court is back on the floor in two weeks. They'll step back into conference play Saturday, Jan. 4 at Felician.